Chapter 11 You're Pretty Strong

Xiao Meier brushed Chen Cheng's hair away from his neck, nodding as she did.

"It was a lucky coincidence, I guess! I left the hot pot restaurant with nowhere to go, so I got on a bus, thinking that I'd get off wherever it ended up."

She settled back into her seat and said, "I still remember when I came to Big Willow Tree that day. It was raining so heavily."

Chen Cheng picked up the wine bottle and toasted her.

"As soon as I got off the bus, I was soaking wet. The rain on my reddened hands felt like it was burning," Xiao Meier instinctively shielded her burned arm.

She spoke softly, "I just ran and ran. Finally, I saw a place with its lights on, and without thinking, I took cover at the entrance."

"Let me guess," Chen Cheng responded with effort, "Did you end up at Xin Chuanji?"

"You're smart, kid!" Xiao Meier replied with a toast of her own, "Back then, it was still called Old Sichuan."

Chen Cheng finally understood, "So that's when the seed of your dream was planted, wasn't it?"

Xiao Meier shook her head.

"No?" Chen Cheng blinked his eyes.

"Well, yes," Xiao Meier nodded, "because it was there that I met Mr. Zhai."

Chen Cheng was surprised, "My grandpa?"

"Yes. That day he was drinking at Old Sichuan, and when he walked out, he saw me all forlorn,"

Xiao Meier said, her eyes reddening immediately, "He asked me which family I belonged to and why I was out alone in such heavy rain."

"Then he saw the burn on my arm and asked if I wanted a hot meal." She continued.

Chen Cheng had never heard this story from his grandfather Zhai Tiansheng, but knowing his warm-hearted nature, he felt it was entirely possible.

"I was so hungry and dizzy at the time that I couldn't think about anything else, so I just nodded and agreed."

Xiao Meier lowered her head and murmured, "Mr. Zhai took me to the back kitchen of Old Sichuan and had a chef, who was about to finish his shift, make me a plate of egg-fried rice and a bowl of Mapo Tofu."

She wiped the tears forming at the corners of her eyes, then lifted her chin and gazed at the ceiling, as if unwilling to let her tears fall.

"Xiao Cheng, that was the most flavorful meal I've ever had in my life."

Chen Cheng was deeply moved. The solitary, friendless Xiao Meier he once knew, caught in a pouring rain in a foreign place, experienced such profound feelings.

"Later, Mr. Zhai helped me find the place for this shop and dealt with the permits."

Xiao Meier looked at Chen Cheng, a fiery glow in her eyes, "So, Xiao Cheng, you don't need to worry about my kindness to you. It's what I ought to do."

"Sister E'er, I..."

Xiao Meier smiled, "As long as you live a steady and safe life in the future, I believe Mr. Zhai would be at peace if he were watching over us."

Chen Cheng gulped down several mouthfuls of wine. That night, he learned so many things he never knew before.

"Sis, I still say what I mean. I will definitely help you fulfill your wish!" Chen Cheng said earnestly.

Xiao Meier smiled faintly, "I said before, I'm all set. Don't..."

Chen Cheng suddenly grabbed her, his breathing turning heavy.

At that moment, he was no longer Xiao Cheng in Xiao Meier's words, but a man saying to her, "A promise made is a promise kept."

Xiao Meier was taken aback by his determination.

She saw in Chen Cheng's eyes his commitment to her, an intense desire.

She pulled her hand away with effort, "You're hurting me."

Chen Cheng finally realized, "Sorry, Sister E'er."

Xiao Meier's face turned beet red, "I never thought you were this strong."

"Haha..."

Chen Cheng laughed awkwardly and quickly changed the subject, "Have you not gone back since you came here?"

"I did go back!" Xiao Meier said, "I went back during the summer after your freshman year. Grandma passed away."

Chen Cheng cleared his throat, "I'm sorry, I didn't know."

"It's okay, it's been years." Xiao Meier said calmly, "I was just deciding whether to come back."

Chen Cheng pressed on, "What made you decide to return to Big Willow Tree?"

"It's simple, after seeing the splendor of the big city, I didn't want to go back."

She paused for a moment, then added, "And besides, there is no one at home anymore."

Two people bound by similar fates sat under the same moonlight, at the same small table.

Fate, perhaps, is just filled with such drama.

"I will take care of you from now on," Chen Cheng said.

Xiao Meier was stunned for a moment, but soon her face lit up with a smile.

She leaned forward, placed her hand on Chen Cheng's shoulder, "Little brother, don't boast too much."

"I'm serious." Chen Cheng met her beautiful eyes, "Sister E'er, I'm almost thirty now. I'm not a young naive boy anymore. What I say counts."

Xiao Meier felt the vigor in Chen Cheng's whole being. She gazed at him blankly, unsure whether to be happy or surprised.

"Let's start by setting you up with a restaurant!" Chen Cheng calmly stated, "I'll think of a way tomorrow."

"What way could you have?" Xiao Meier asked, puzzled.

Chen Cheng grinned, "Make money, of course! Buy back Grandpa's Wanbao Hall and open a fine little restaurant for you."

Hearing Chen Cheng say this, Xiao Meier leaned back, "That's two million! Where are you going to get that kind of money?"

"Money, well, there's always a way." Chen Cheng smiled boldly, "For instance, I could revisit my former clients, help them with some investments and such."

Xiao Meier blinked, "Just based on the code you wrote this afternoon?"

"Yeah! I help them make money, they give me a share. With a bit of luck, I think it would work in half a year."

Chen Cheng's heart was pounding as he continued, "And if luck's even better, maybe in a couple of months. Who knows?"

"Is it legal?"

Xiao Meier had no experience with quantitative trading and didn't understand financial matters; those complex codes seemed highly sophisticated to her.

However, she was very concerned for Chen Cheng's safety, "Xiao Cheng, we can't do anything illegal to make money!"

Chen Cheng laughed and said, "My dear Sister E'er, don't worry! Every penny I earn will be clean."

He paused and then asked, "Otherwise, wouldn't I have already gotten in trouble?"

"Phooey, phooey, phooey!" Xiao Meier frowned, "Knock on wood! Why are you talking nonsense all day?"

Chen Cheng smiled and knocked on the table, "You believe in that stuff?"

"I'm just worried about you taking the wrong path for money."

Xiao Meier said seriously, "Xiao Cheng, you must promise me one thing."

"Tell me."

"No matter what, you have to be well, you hear?"

Chen Cheng looked at her sincere face and nodded, "Don't worry, Sister E'er. Our good days are almost here!"

Xiao Meier bit her lower lip and reminded him again, "You must listen, okay?"

"Yes, madam!"

Chen Cheng saluted.

"I'm not a cop," Xiao Meier jokingly scolded.

"Oh, you understood that?"

Xiao Meier giggled, "I've watched a lot of Hong Kong movies!"